OK so I frequent the second hand shops. Not earth shattering news but just a way for me to find things I can use at a lesser price. Hey it is also “recycling” if you call it that everybody thinks good of you and cheers your effort. Do not turn your nose up at me because of it, I am sure that most if not everyone has checked a classified or two. They are not far different then having a browse through charity shops or second hands stores. Most people will have a good nose at classified ads and think nothing of it. A walk through a thrift shop for little found treasures I must do in person. Checking the classifieds I can do that even away from home.
However checking the classified today via a website similar to Craig’s list is, but has an odder name is Kijiji. Where did they come up with that name is beyond me. That’s beside the point. In this site I often see highlights of people warning other people of someone else’s wrongdoings. Thankfully some people take the time to warn others when they have been wronged. However being wronged can also be a personal perception.
The ad today read “BEWARE PEOPLE A SCAM ARTIST” in big capital letters. Then they proceeded to describe that someone had found two items in a local thrift store and then subsequently advertised and perhaps even sold those items on Kijiji. The writer was upset because the seller had placed a higher price on it then what the thrift store had sold for in the first place.
So I ask. Where is the scam here? That is basic economy 101. Every retailer in the world does that on a daily basis. Find a supplier that provides you with a product at one price and you then sell it at a higher price. Subtract your operating cost and you have your profits.
The fact that today the “supplier” could only supply the items once makes no difference. The principle is the same. Artist sells their wares in the same fashion. You buy a painting at one price and either hang it up for display or re-sell it. If you sell it for what you paid for it then you are out no money but perhaps have gain some enjoyment for a time looking at it. It you sell it for higher price then what you paid for it, then you win twice. You enjoyed the painting for a time and then turned a profit.
It might be interesting to speak directly to the person who placed the BEWARE…..SCAM….ad today if for no other reason than to see if my mental image of who this person is or what they look like matches my perceived image. I will not describe that.
Yes I did reply to the BEWARE ad indicating that I did not see where any wrongdoings had occurred. The thrift store got the money they asked for so they are out nothing. The fact that it could possibly have sold for higher but perhaps only if they held on to it longer. They want to move their merchandise quickly and therefore price accordingly. The new seller is selling to a different audience so may garner a higher price with perhaps a bit more effort. That’s the basis of entrepreneurship.

It will be interesting to see if I get a reply or not.
However this gave me a chuckle and the basis for my rant today.
I know I am behind in my writing and I keep telling myself that I must do it more often if I ever hope to get better at it……practice makes perfect.
But for now I must get back to the classified……